NIGHTMARES
Description and Possible Medical Problems
It seems as though every TV sitcom that has at least one little kid in the cast runs at least one episode each year where the child wakes up the entire household when he has a nightmare.
Everyone—child and adult—has experienced nightmares. Some people dream about being chased, others about falling. As a rule, however, if you have an occasional nightmare, it’s a sign that your imagination is alive and kicking, even during sleep.
If nightmares occur on a regular basis, however, they can be a sign of pulmonary disease or may be due to a lack of oxygen during sleep, which often happens in a person with a severe case of emphysema. Nightmares can also be a side effect of certain medications such as beta-blockers.
Treatment
If you have nightmares only once in awhile, you have nothing to worry about. If, however, they seem to be occurring regularly—at least a couple of times a week—you should see your doctor, who will check you for pulmonary disease or emphysema. If she determines that medication is causing your nightmares, she will change your prescription to another medication that will provide the same benefits without the side effects.
*61\167\8*
Leave a Reply